*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[the big bambino]

Don't think we ever batted Gilchrist at 6 but now that he's retired batting the keep at 6 has become a good idea apparently.

 

[Spikey]

The latter, it just seems unnecessary. It's like you trying to drop Bairstow for Woakes or something.

Except England's batting order isnt a shambles and hence could maybe play around with one aspect of it in a dead rubber. We really cant.

 

[Spark]

I just do not understand the logic behind this. If we're blacklisting Cowan/Hughes/Khawaja for the time being, then fine, but surely then you'd bring in Wade rather than bring in a ****ing sixth bowler?

 

[Spikey]

seriously though, what's with Lehmann's refusal to bat Hughes at 3?

 

[Dan]

Don't think we ever batted Gilchrist at 6 but now that he's retired batting the keep at 6 has become a good idea apparently.

West Indies tour in 2003 the only occasion I can think of where it was a case of playing 5 bowlers. Brad Hogg at 7, Bichel at 8.

 

[NUFAN]

The Faulkner selection seems to be drawing attention away from how badly Starc has been ****ed around with. Plays the first, third and fifth Tests of a series despite doing no more or less than was expected of him.

Howe odd (late minute decision to italic howe)

 

[Dan]

I just do not understand the logic behind this. If we're blacklisting Cowan/Hughes/Khawaja for the time being, then fine, but surely then you'd bring in Wade rather than bring in a ****ing sixth bowler?

More evidence that the Australian side is NSW-lite.

 

[Furball]

Don't think we ever batted Gilchrist at 6 but now that he's retired batting the keep at 6 has become a good idea apparently.

He batted 6 in one of the immediate post Waugh series when Australia picked 5 bowlers.

 

[Howe_zat]

I just do not understand the logic behind this. If we're blacklisting Cowan/Hughes/Khawaja for the time being, then fine, but surely then you'd bring in Wade rather than bring in a ****ing sixth bowler?

*seventh.

How dare you forget the People's Champ

 

[dermo]

Clarke finally manning up and batting 3

 

[Prince EWS]

I just do not understand the logic behind this. If we're blacklisting Cowan/Hughes/Khawaja for the time being, then fine, but surely then you'd bring in Wade rather than bring in a ****ing sixth bowler?

I'm going to assume for now that Watson isn't fit to bowl.

 

[91Jmay]

Cooky just said 'If i pretend to be someone else, I am not being true to myself'. **** off, hope he bags a pair. What kind of arsebanditry is that?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Comedy gold this tour has been. God knows what funky selection Lehmann will come up with for Brisbane?

 

[theegyptian]

Hopefully Warne is in charge by Brisbane. Coach/Pundit/Poker player. He can do it all.

 

[the big bambino]

The worst kind. I hope he bags a pair too.

 

[Dan]

West Indies tour in 2003 the only occasion I can think of where it was a case of playing 5 bowlers. Brad Hogg at 7, Bichel at 8.

Also circa-2005 when we picked Watson at 7 in his debut series, and once in 2006 against Bangladesh.

Did it a handful of times due to mid-game injury or upping the pace pre-declaration as well, adds up to about 10% of his career innings.

 

[Prince EWS]

The Faulkner selection seems to be drawing attention away from how badly Starc has been ****ed around with. Plays the first, third and fifth Tests of a series despite doing no more or less than was expected of him.

I honestly don't really have a problem with this. Australia have several quality fast bowling options right now so the selection of each of them for any given Test will be depend on form, fitness, conditions and the balance of the attack. In the end it's probably a good thing that Starc didn't have to play any consecutive Tests given how short the turnarounds were.

He was never exactly dropped on performance either and I'm going to assume that was explained to him. Lehmann said Harris wasn't quite right to go for the first Test but he was raring to go for the second so someone had to drop out, he came back in for the third after Pattinson broke and then for the fourth he was left out based on the (perceived) conditions, which again was conveyed in a public statement from Lehmann. Now he's back because the conditions are different.

 

[dermo]

was curious to hear mickey arthur's opinion but then realised he has no right to comment

 

[Dan]

Comedy gold this tour has been. God knows what funky selection Lehmann will come up with for Brisbane?

All it needs is for Andy Flower to pity us and call in Jade Dernbach at the last minute.

 

[the big bambino]

That article from Hayden: He's starting to sound like a graft of Bruce Ruxton and Grandpa Simpson.